Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has intensified efforts to reopen the long-abandoned water route linking Baga in northern Borno State with neighbouring Chad Republic, in a move aimed at reviving trade and economic activities across the Lake Chad region.
During a visit to Baga on Saturday, the governor held strategic consultations with military commanders and security officials on plans to clear and secure the waterway, which has remained largely inaccessible for years due to insurgency and insecurity.
Speaking after the meeting, Zulum said discussions focused on practical measures required to restore safe navigation along the route and facilitate the movement of goods and people between Nigeria and Chad.
“Our visit to Baga was to interface with the Nigerian military to discuss the modalities for clearing waterways from Baga to the Republic of Chad,” the governor said.
He expressed confidence that the clearance operation would commence in the near future, noting that both the Nigerian and Chadian governments were already collaborating to ensure seamless cross-border movement of commodities once the route is reopened.
The planned restoration of the waterway is expected to provide a major economic boost to communities around the Lake Chad basin, where fishing, farming and cross-border commerce have historically served as key sources of livelihood.
Years of insurgency disrupted these activities, contributing to economic decline, displacement and humanitarian challenges across affected communities in northeastern Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Stakeholders believe reopening the route will reconnect regional markets, reduce transportation costs and stimulate legitimate trade among communities in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
Beyond the security consultations, Governor Zulum inspected several ongoing development projects in Kukawa Local Government Area as part of efforts to accelerate post-conflict recovery and reconstruction.
The projects visited include a General Hospital, a Mega Primary School and the High Islamic College.
The High Islamic College is designed to provide educational opportunities for out-of-school children and Almajiri pupils through an integrated curriculum that combines Islamic and Western education. Graduates of the institution will be eligible for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide.
The governor also announced plans to strengthen local livelihoods through agricultural interventions. According to him, farming tools, agricultural implements and improved seedlings will soon be distributed to farmers, while support packages will be provided to returnee fishing communities to help restore their economic activities.
The proposed reopening of the Baga-Chad waterway forms part of the Borno State Government’s broader strategy to stabilise communities affected by more than a decade of insurgency, promote resettlement and stimulate economic recovery across the Lake Chad basin.
For many residents, the initiative represents more than the restoration of a transportation corridor. It is widely viewed as a symbol of recovery and renewed hope for communities striving to rebuild their lives and livelihoods after years of conflict and isolation.
